New Delhi, Oct 10: Seasoned Indian archer Dhiraj Bommadevara believes introducing a mix of daytime and night matches in the ongoing Archery Premier League (APL) would help Indian archers adapt to varying conditions and prepare more effectively for major international competitions.
The 25-year-old recently scripted history by becoming the first Indian man to win an individual gold medal at the Archery World Cup Final, has competed in both editions of the APL. However, with the league’s matches held entirely under lights so far, Dhiraj feels adding daytime contests would provide athletes with valuable exposure to different shooting environments.
Representing Mighty Marathas in the ongoing league, Dhiraj emphasised that archers must be prepared to compete at different times of the day, as international tournaments do not always follow a uniform schedule.
“It is good that we are getting opportunities to shoot both in the morning and at night. That helps us prepare for different situations,” Dhiraj said, quoted by PTI.
“We never know whether a competition will take place in the morning or at night. We need to prepare for every possibility,” he added.
While acknowledging that it was difficult to determine precisely how much the timing of a match influences performance, the Indian international stressed that experience across different conditions could help athletes become more adaptable.
Hyderabad’s Wind Conditions Test Archers
The APL’s move from Delhi to Hyderabad has introduced another important variable for competitors, with wind conditions emerging as a significant factor during matches.
Dhiraj noted that the change in venue had made a noticeable difference, particularly compared with the relatively calm conditions experienced during the previous edition in Delhi.
“The main change is the wind factor. There was not much wind in Delhi, especially at night. In Hyderabad, however, we have experienced considerable wind, whether we shoot in the morning or at night,” he said.
The challenging conditions have also encouraged greater communication and tactical exchanges between recurve and compound archers, allowing competitors to share their experiences and approaches to handling difficult situations.
APL Helps Indian Archers Learn From International Stars
Beyond the competitive aspect, Dhiraj credited the league with creating opportunities for Indian archers to interact more closely with leading international competitors.
The tournament features several prominent names in the sport, including Dutch compound archer Mike Schloesser, who represents Mighty Marathas, Mathias Fullerton of Chero Archers and Tokyo Olympics champion Mete Gazoz, who competes for Rajputana Royals.
According to Dhiraj, the inaugural edition of the league played an important role in breaking down barriers between Indian and overseas athletes, allowing them to exchange ideas beyond routine interactions at international tournaments.
“We talk to everyone. But I would like to give credit to the league as a whole. When the first season started, that was when we began opening up more,” he said.
“Earlier, we would exchange greetings such as good morning or good afternoon. If we asked a few extra questions, we would share some information. But the league, especially its first season, helped us open up and talk much more,” he added.
The additional time spent together during training and competition has helped archers gain insights into how their rivals approach preparation, decision-making and pressure situations.
“During tournaments, we see how different archers think and handle situations. During training, we get to understand how they prepare for those moments,” Dhiraj said.
Dhiraj Hopes South Korean Archers Join Future Editions
Dhiraj also expressed hope that South Korean archers, widely regarded as among the strongest competitors in the sport, would participate in future editions of the APL.
South Korean archers have missed the league for the second consecutive season because of a scheduling clash with national events in their home country.
While welcoming the prospect of their participation, Dhiraj maintained that Indian archers could continue learning from the international field already assembled in the competition.
“Wherever you have an opportunity to learn, you should take it. Even though the Koreans are not here, it does not mean we are missing out on everything. Of course, it would be good if they participated,” he said.
For Dhiraj, the APL’s value extends beyond results, offering Indian archers a platform to gain experience in varied conditions, exchange knowledge with elite international competitors and strengthen their preparation for the demands of major global events.